Brave Kilcarrig Cillie is hero

Friday saw an enjoyable night’s racing in Kilkenny, with a number of finals going down to the wire. The final of the Langton House & TSC Derby was the mainstay of the card.

Friday saw an enjoyable night’s racing in Kilkenny, with a number of finals going down to the wire. The final of the Langton House & TSC Derby was the mainstay of the card.

In an open looking decider, Master Gorryisle was sent off the 2/1 favourite. Kilcarrig Cillie was quickest out of traps and he went to the bend well. Master Gorryisle looked set to lead around the first bend, but Norristown Bud gave Master Gorryisle a nudge at the bend and both their chances were gone.

Kilcarrig Cillie slipped around on the rails and led was two lengths clear of Raheen Boy at the second bend. Raheen Boy looked in a really dangerous position at that point but Kilcarrig Cillie maintained that lead into the third.

Raheen Boy tried to deliver his usual late charge but the gutsy Kilcarrig Cillie refused to yield. Ann Guilfoyle’s brave son of Westmead Joe and Mt Leinster Kate was a popular winner of the €4,500 first prize by two lengths in 29.01.

The opening race was a messy contest with plenty of trouble. Condor Lily started fast and led into first where she was bumped by Emers Skylark. The early paced Dudley swept by the pair and quickly shot three lengths clear into the second.

Dudley extended his lead to seven lengths over Emers Skylark into the third. A tiring Dudley held off Emers Skylark late on but the Thomas Leahy trained Craw Jumper flew home and snatched victory from Dudley by a neck in 30.02.

Staplestown Road led up from trap three in the second race of the night and got to the bend ahead of Garryglass Sammy. The pace setter was a length up at the second but Garryglass Sammy was on terms at the third bend.

Sammy cut across Staplestown Road at the second last and Kilcloney Bond was also forced to check and forfeited his chance. The Karol Ramsbottom trained Garryglass Sammy ran out a five length winner from Staplestown Road in 29.59.

The first of the night’s finals saw Singing Hen come out running. However, the favourite Ascot Buddy shot up the inner and into the lead around the first bend. Once in front, Ascot Buddy dominated and gave none of his rivals a look in, deservedly taking the final by five lengths from Singing Hen in a career best 29.22.

The fourth race was level early bar Paulstown China who walked out of trap one. With a quartet going to the first, trouble was likely. Old Road Ken and Arrigle Hi went on with the former just shading down the far side. Arrigle Hi continued to challenge as did Paulstown China but Old Road Ken saw off all challengers by two lengths in 29.65.

After a level beginning in the Bridie’s Bar and General Store final Urard Pine had shot into the lead at the first. With brilliant early pace Urard Pine moved three lengths clear of Pops Sandie turning down the back stretch.

The lead was up to five lengths by the third but the race was far from over. Dysert Maestro flew home and the odds on favourite ate up the ground. However, Urard Pine held on for the win by a short head in 29.35.

In a hot looking sixth race contest, Mister Bates showed the best early to lead up from trap five. Showing his usual early dash, Mister bates opened up a three length lead over Kilgraney Apollo at the second bend.

There was no change down to the third bend and though Kilgraney Apollo closed late on, the Darragh Morrissey trained Mister Bates held on by a length in a very smart 29.04.

Garryglass Sheba showed from the traps in the Set Theatre final and led the field to the first bend. The leader was a length to the good at the second bend with Condor Amy and Feed Me Scampi in hot pursuit.

The field closed up, but Garryglass Sheba was not for passing. Completing a double for trainer, Garryglass Sheba defeated Dysert Oisin and Feed Me Scampi who dead heated for second spot by a length and a half in 29.34.

The finale saw Condor Bobby blast out of traps. The early leader was in charge around the first two bends but racing down to the third turn, Cherokee Bride slipped up the inner.

Condor Bobby was not about to undone and battled back up the home straight, galloping all the way to the line to score by three lengths in 29.54.

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